Processing materials

• US 9,631,208 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2016
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Inventors: Medoff, Marshall, Masterman, Thomas Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, RUTH A
• Application Number:
  US15/248,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20160362707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/001 Processes specially adapted for distillation or rectification of fermented solutions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/002 by continuous methods
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/02 Monosaccharides 2-ketogulonic acid C12P7/60
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/14 produced by the action of a carbohydrase (EC 3.2.x), e.g. by alpha-amylase , e.g. by cellulase, hemicellulase
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 2201/00 Pretreatment of cellulosic or lignocellulosic material for subsequent enzymatic treatment or hydrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 2203/00 Fermentation products obtained from optionally pretreated or hydrolyzed cellulosic or lignocellulosic material as the carbon source ethanol C12P7/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 5/00 Preparation of hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 5/026 Unsaturated compounds, i.e. alkenes, alkynes or allenes
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/02 containing a hydroxy group
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/10 substrate containing cellulosic material
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/14 Multiple stages of fermentation; Multiple types of microorganisms or re-use of microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/16 Butanols
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/18 polyhydric
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/24 containing a carbonyl group
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/28 Acetone-containing products
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/42 Hydroxy-carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/52 Propionic acid; Butyric acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/54 Acetic acid vinegar C12J
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/56 Lactic acid
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/62 Carboxylic acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 : Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 : Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a liquid medium and a saccharifying agent.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

saccharifying an electron beam irradiated lignocellulosic feedstock in a vessel to form a sugar solution comprising glucose and xylose,

removing xylose from the sugar solution; and

fermenting the sugar solution to convert glucose to alcohol after removal of the xylose.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising distillation of the alcohol.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein distillation comprises vacuum distillation.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol comprises ethanol.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein saccharifying comprises enzymatic saccharification.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising monitoring the glucose level in the vessel during saccharification.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising mixing contents of the vessel with a jet mixer during saccharification.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feedstock has a bulk density of less than about 0.75 g/cm³.